Make realistic allowances for feed wastage, based on your feeding system.

If necessary, seek help from a nutrition specialist.

Revise your feed budget when circumstances change (for example, available feeds and number of animals to be fed).

For further information on feed budgeting, see the feed budgeting fact sheet at: dairyaustralia.com.au/ feedshortage

Step 3: Buy feeds

Work out what you can afford to pay (break-even and target feed prices).

When assessing a particular feed to buy, firstly check its physical quality, making sure that you have a representative sample.

Things to look for:

An unusual appearance or consistency.

Material too wet or too dry.

Any contaminants or foreign materials, which may reduce nutritional value or cause digestive problems.

Signs of mould, which can increase the risk of mycotoxins (fungal toxins).

Then look beyond the price tag, and see how each feed stacks up in terms of its relative cost per unit energy and protein using feed analysis.

Increase certainty of feed supply and predictability of feed costs by confirming verbal agreements with feed suppliers by mail, fax or email (in writing). The key points you need to cover are:

Quantity.

Quality.

Price.

Delivery period.

Delivery point.

Payment terms.

A pro-forma that covers all these key points is the Grain Trade Australia Contract Confirmation, which can be used for any feed, not just grain. To download a blank copy, go to:
dairyaustralia.com.au/feedshortage

Step 4: Store feeds

Don’t wait until the truck arrives before you consider how you will manage risks around feed shrinkage, spoilage and/or contamination.

Alternative fibre sources such as palm kernel meal and almond hulls may be prone to growth of fungi that produce mycotoxins (fungal toxins) if they are allowed to get wet.

Feed contamination with stones and dirt can be a problem if you don’t have a concrete base.

Step 5: Feed diet to herd

Consider your feed-out area/facility and feeding equipment.

Check there is adequate area, feed trough space and access to drinking water for the number of animals using the feed-out area/facility.

If feeding a partial mixed ration (PMR) using a mixer wagon, ensure the mix is not under or over processed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Use ration conditioners such as water, molasses or oil to reduce fines, sorting of feed and rejection or wastage of feed.

If you don’t have a mixer wagon and must feed two or three fibre sources separately, consider how you will best do this to regulate cows’ feed intakes, and avoid excess competition and wastage.

Offer cows the right amount of feed at the right time of the day — don’t overfill troughs.

Sequence feeds carefully during each 24–hour period.

Offer cows fresh, palatable, high quality feed at all times. Don’t put fresh feed on top of old feed.